Thank you for visiting Riki Alexander Somatics!
It is my great pleasure to introduce you to my work and some original influences that have shaped and informed me.
When I was two, my family took up residence in Miami Beach. There, I was nourished by the sunshine and salt sea air. From the beginning, I felt passionately drawn to the ocean. It was love at first sight, and nothing was better than being bare-bodied in the sand and surf!
My sense of wonder mounted watching Ocean's majesty & ever-changing nature. Sea lessons were continual throughout childhood as I moved developmentally from toddler to adolescent. In her embrace, I experienced a kind of surrender I had not known on land. Being held, cradled and rocked, a deep cellular sense of safety and home was restored. During high school years, I sought counsel at her shores, bringing problems and questions that seemed insurmountable, always leaving with a more settled sense of relief and calm. Additionally, I was enticed by her whimsy and softened by her sensuality ... and always, always, after a spacious time in the water felt renewed and whole.
This deep resonance with the sea gave birth to my love of undulating authentic movement, dance, and play ... and to a conscious connection with my own fluid intelligence, the wilder animal nature of myself.
"You do not have to be good ... you only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves." Mary Oliver
There are ideal ways of being born and nurtured, welcomed and adored from the first moments by our mothers. Through a consistent and fluid attachment, we grow strong and secure. Because this is actually doable, I bring a fierce concern and commitment to the process of natural birthing and the nurturing of healthy children. This too has been a life long passion.
Since this ideal is unfortunately rare and far from the norm for most of us, a kind of "re-parenting" sometimes forms the foundation of my work with clients. Returning to that loving ocean home - whatever resonates for each person - to a somatic experience of reliance, attachment, connection, support and love, leads ultimately to a true sense of security and self confidence in the world as well as a reconnection to that deep animal nature abiding in us all.
From this blossoming, the authentic and creative self is cheered into being!
From this blossoming, the authentic and creative self is cheered into being!
Along the way, I have had the great good fortune to be nourished and mentored by wonderful therapists and teachers. Their presence and spirit are with me always, and I am filled with gratitude for their wisdom. My dear clients are the best teachers of all.
What are the resources in your life that have helped you transcend difficult and overwhelming experiences? Make a list and bring it to our first session!
Please visit my pages to see the kinds of work I use in my practice. Feel free to contact me with any questions and/or to set up an initial session/consultation. I look forward to hearing from you and sharing in this joyous process of transformation.
May you be peaceful, and may loving kindness guide you on your way.
